DANVILLE, Va. — Despite a hard fought effort and coming back from a 17-point deficit in the first half, the Averett University women's basketball team fell short down the stretch to Randolph College in a 69-67 non-conference loss on Saturday afternoon.
 
With a chance to regain the lead after Randolph's Abigail Bullins sank two free throws to put the Wildcats ahead 68-67, the Cougars turned the ball over on an inbounds play at Randolph's baseline with five seconds left in regulation. They were forced to foul and put Chelsea Tyler on the line. Tyler hit the first of two shots to extend the lead, and Averett wasn't able to get a good shot off.
 
Randolph (8-1) knocked down six of eight 3-pointers to shoot 75 percent from long range in the first half giving the Wildcats a comfortable 42-31 lead at halftime. Four of the six shots from behind the arc came from Bullins, who led all scorers with 21 points.
 
Averett (2-4) adjusted its defense in the second half and stunted Bullins' scoring, forcing the Wildcats to rely on different offensive threats. For a while, it worked. The Wildcats scored only six points in 11 possessions with five turnovers that allowed the Cougars close the gap.
 
After trailing for the majority of the first half, Averett scored in four consecutive possessions to spark its 16-4 run that tied the game. Junior guard Jessica Myers maneuvered her way inside the paint to hit a short jumper putting the score at 52-52 with 11:29 on the clock.
 
The Cougars led the Wildcats up to the 2:28 mark when Bullins hit her only 3-pointer of the second half to regain the lead putting Randolph in front 62-61. The teams traded baskets and Randolph switched to a full court press to keep the Cougars from scoring which forced the late turnover that solidified the game.
 
Freshman guard Samm Chandler finished with 14 points and three steals and sophomore forward Alexis Sollars added 11 points and three rebounds for the Cougars. Senior guard Aundrea Burns scored a season-high seven points and dished out another season-high of six assists.
 
The Cougars will return to the Grant Center on Jan. 2 to play conference foe Maryville College at 7:30 p.m.